Porsche 356

A 1500 GS Carrera

• One of just 390 Reutter Carrera 356 A GS coupés from 1955
• Extremely rare factory Golde sunroof
• Mille Miglia eligible

Before the legend of the 911, there was the car that ignited it all: the Porsche 356. Not just the first Porsche ever built, but the spark that lit a fire in the hearts of drivers, engineers, and dreamers alike. It was Ferry Porsche’s answer to a simple question: what if a sports car could be light, elegant, and engineered with purpose down to the last bolt? The answer became a timeless silhouette—curvaceous, compact, and utterly captivating. By the early 1950s, the 356 had already made its mark on the world’s most grueling circuits: from the 24 Hours of Le Mans to the Mille Miglia and the Liège–Rome–Liège. It wasn’t just winning; it was redefining what a lightweight sports car could achieve. And yet, in true Porsche fashion, Zuffenhausen wasn’t satisfied. Faster. Lighter. More advanced. The engineers knew the 356 still had more to give.


Enter the Carrera GS. Named after Porsche’s triumphs in the legendary Carrera Panamericana, the 356 Carrera was no mere upgrade—it was a revelation. At its core was one of the most mythical engines in automotive history: the Type 547 four-cam “Fuhrmann” motor, originally designed for the 550 Spyder and so intricate, its blueprints were once hidden away in a desk drawer until Ferry Porsche gave the green light. What made it special? Everything. Dual overhead camshafts. Bevel-gear-driven shafts. A crankshaft that took a specialist days to assemble. At 1.5 liters, it produced a razor-sharp 100 hp at a screaming 6,200 rpm—just shy of full race spec. But it wasn’t just power. It was symphony. Soul. The sound of mechanical artistry operating at the edge of possibility.


To own a Carrera GS was to join an elite club. To drive one was to touch the spirit of racing. And now, one of those rare, magical machines is back where it belongs: in the spotlight.


Chassis 55380: A survivor. A symbol. A standout. Delivered new to Hoffman Motors in New York on January 17th 1956, this car is one of only 390 Reutter-built 356 A Carrera GS coupés ever made. And among that already limited group, this one is even more exclusive: factory-equipped with a Golde sliding sunroof—a unicorn-level option that elevates both its collectability and its charisma. In its lifetime, the original engine was replaced—common for these highly-strung motors—with a correct-spec Type 547/1 four-cam engine, number 90651, still singing the unmistakable four-cam tune. But numbers only tell part of the story. What makes this car truly breathtaking is the quality of its restoration: a full bare-metal nut-and-bolt project carried out in Italy by marque experts. Every detail, every finish, every contour has been executed to concours-level perfection. Its rare original shade of Lago Green Metallic (5605A) was lovingly reapplied, shimmering with a depth and gloss that can only be appreciated in person. The interior, finished in authentic period-correct materials, is anchored by a gorgeous wood-rimmed, alloy-framed steering wheel—a tactile reminder of a time when driving was an art.


But don’t mistake this for a museum piece. This Carrera is alive. Eligible for the Mille Miglia, fully functional, and ready to conquer the world’s most prestigious historic events—or simply to be enjoyed on the open road by someone who understands what they’re holding. Because this isn’t just a Porsche. It’s a mechanical poem. A legacy forged in magnesium and camshafts. One of the finest pre-A Carreras available today. A mythical machine. A driver’s car. A collector’s dream. Now available at Rock ‘N Roll Classics.